2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor, Alaska   5

Special Notice for Market Research for Use of a Project Labor Agreement on Alaska District Corps of Engineers Project 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor, Alaska.

The Corps of Engineers, Alaska District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on FY24 Design-Bid Build project, 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor, Alaska. A PLA is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project and is an agreement described in 29 U.S.C. 158(f). Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Policy: (a) Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a tool that agencies may use to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement. Pursuant to Executive Order 13502, agencies are encouraged to consider requiring the use of PLAs in connection with large-scale construction projects; (b) An agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor and subcontractor engaged in construction on the project agree, for that project, to negotiate or become a party to a project labor agreement with one or more labor organizations if the agency decides that the use of project labor agreements will (1) Advance the Federal Government's interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement, producing labor-management stability, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other matters; and (2) Be consistent with the law. Reference: FAR Provision 52.222-33, Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and Clause 52.222-34, Project Labor Agreement.

In order to assist in the evaluation as to whether the use of a PLA is appropriate for project 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor, Alaska, the Alaska District is soliciting information on historical use of PLAs in Alaska. Any interested party (contractors, project owners, contractor associations, labor unions, construction management firms, etc.) may respond.

LETTERS SIMPLY INDICATING SUPPORT FOR OR OPPOSITION TO LABOR UNIONS AND/OR PLAs DO NOT OFFER ANY USEFUL INFORMATION AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please provide responses to any or all of the following questions:

1. Would incorporation of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) into this contract prevent your firm from participating in this particular acquisition.
2. What market share does union labor have in the Anchorage, Alaska geographical area?
3. Are any Collective Bargaining Agreements expected to expire between January 2024 and January 2025?
4. Could a PLA minimize risk to the Government on the 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor project? How?
5. Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor project? If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.
6. Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would affect the rate at which the 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor, Alaska project should be completed? If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.
7. Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
8. Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
9. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor project.
10. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the 2024 - 2026 Maintenance Dredging, Anchorage Harbor project.
11. Do you have knowledge that a PLA has been used in the local area on projects of this kind? If so, please provide supporting documentation:
    1. Project Name and Location
    2. Detailed Project Description
    3. Initial Cost Estimate vs. Actual Final Cost
    4. Was the project completed on time?
    5. Number of craft trades present on the project
    6. Was a PLA used?
    7. Were there any challenges experienced during the project? (delays, investigations, safety issues, labor shortages, management/organizational issues, etc.)?

Please reference solicitation number W911KB24R0002 and limit your responses to NO MORE THAN TWO (2) PAGES IN LENGTH.

Provide your comments via email to Jennifer Gosh, Contract Specialist, at Jennifer.Gosh@usace.army.mil, NO LATER THAN 27 June 2023 2:00PM AKDT.